Model year record

1994 Dodge Caravan

3 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 836 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 00V305000

Steering: steering wheel/handle bar

Component
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar
Manufacturer
DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION
Vehicles affected
679,000
Reported to NHTSA
2000-10-12
Owners notified
2000-11-06

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH 2-SPOKE LUXURY WHEELS MANUFACTURED JULY 1992 THROUGH JUNE 1993; OR EQUIPPED WITH 4-SPOKE SPORT WHEELS MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 1992 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 1993. THE STEERING WHEEL ARMATURE STAMPING CAN CRACK AND SEPARATE FROM THE CENTER HUB ATTACHMENT TO THE STEERING COLUMN.

Safety risk

IF THE STEERING WHEEL SEPARATES FROM THE CENTER HUB ATTACHMENT TO THE STEERING COLUMN, LOSS OF CONTROL CAN OCCUR INCREASING THE RISK OF AN ACCIDENT.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE STEERING WHEEL FOR CRACKS AND ANY WHEELS WITH CRACKS WILL BE REPLACED. ALL OTHER VEHICLES WILL HAVE A REINFORCEMENT PLATE INSTALLED TO PREVENT STEERING WHEEL SEPARATION IN THE EVENT CRACKING OCCURS.

Recall campaignNHTSA 99V213000

Structure: body: hatchback/liftgate: hinge and attachments

Component
Structure: body: hatchback/liftgate: hinge and attachments
Manufacturer
DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION
Vehicles affected
1,318,189
Reported to NHTSA
1999-09-02
Owners notified
1999-08-30

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINI VANS. THE BOLTS USED TO ATTACH THE STRUT TO THE BODY AND THE REAR LIFTGATE CAN ACCUMULATE FATIGUE DAMAGE IF THREE FACTORS COMBINE. IF THE BOLT IS LOOSE, THE GAS STRUT IS OVER-PRESSURIZED, AND THE FREQUENCY OF OPENING AND CLOSING CYCLES IS HIGHER THAN FOR THE AVERAGE CUSTOMER, THE BOLT CAN FAIL.

Safety risk

PERSONAL INJURY COULD OCCUR IF THE BOLTS BREAK ALLOWING THE LIFTGATE TO FALL SUDDENLY.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR LOOSE FASTENERS, IF THE FASTENERS ARE LOOSE, THE STRUT (AND INTEGRAL BOLTS) WILL BE REPLACED. IF THE BOLT SHOWS EVIDENCE OF TORQUE, THE BOLT WILL BE REMOVED, LARGER WASHERS WILL REPLACE THE EXISTING WASHER AND THE BOLT WILL BE REINSTALLED AND HAND TIGHTENED TO THE TARGET TORQUED.

Recall campaignNHTSA 99V113000

Air bags

Component
Air bags
Manufacturer
DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION
Vehicles affected
736,824
Reported to NHTSA
1999-05-06
Owners notified
1999-08-02

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINI VANS. THE WIRING THAT INITIATES THE DRIVER AND/OR PASSENGER AIR BAG COULD ELECTRICALLY SHORT CIRCUIT TO GROUND. A SHORT CIRCUIT TO GROUND THAT EXISTS IMMEDIATELY AFTER TURNING THE IGNITION KEY TO THE "ON" OR "START" POSITION CAN CAUSE THE AIR BAG(S) TO INADVERTENTLY DEPLOY.

Safety risk

INADVERTENT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT CAN INJURE A FRONT SEAT OCCUPANT.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL PERFORM AN ELECTRONIC DIAGNOSTIC CHECK. ANY SHORT CIRCUITS IDENTIFIED IN EITHER THE DRIVER'S OR PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG INITIATOR WIRE CIRCUIT WILL BE REPAIRED.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Power train: automatic transmission96105,000 mi
Air bags: frontal66
Air bags36140,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip36
Latches/locks/linkages: hatchback/liftgate: lock34
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline33
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner29
Structure: body: door2599,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition24
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys14
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch1467,000 mi
Structure: body: hatchback/liftgate14
Engine and engine cooling: engine13
Seats: front assembly: recliner1317,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components13
Structure: body: door: hinge and attachments13200,000 mi
Structure: body: hatchback/liftgate: hinge and attachments1366,793 mi
Unknown or other12110,000 mi
Vehicle speed control11
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor11
Visibility: glass, side/rear10176,380 mi
Visibility: windshield9180,000 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist system8
Steering: rack and pinion8
Suspension: front8
Child seat7
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: fan7
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly7
Power train: manual transmission7
Seat belts: front: anchorage7
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly7
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar7
Latches/locks/linkages: hood: latch6235,000 mi
Seat belts6
Seat belts: front: retractor6
Seats6
Steering: hydraulic power assist: pump6
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer6
Exterior lighting: headlights590,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: torque converter5
Structure: body5119,444 mi
Electrical system4114,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system467,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: tailgate: latch4
Parking brake: conventional4
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper4
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor4
Steering4
Structure: body: tailgate4
Structure: frame and members4
Tires4
Visibility: power window devices and controls4
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module3
Electrical system: wiring3
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers3
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly3
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump3
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system3
Fuel system, other3
Interior lighting399,000 mi
Seat belts: integrated child seat3
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc3
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder3
Structure: body: tailgate: hinge and attachments3
Tires: tread/belt3
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system3
Electrical system: horn2
Electrical system: ignition: module2
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system2
Equipment2
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.2
Exterior lighting: headlights: concealment devices2
Fuel system, gasoline2114,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings2
Parking brake2
Power train2
Power train: automatic transmission: cooling unit and lines2
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: column shift2
Seat belts: front: webbing2
Service brakes, air: antilock2
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads2
Suspension2
Suspension: front: macpherson strut2
Suspension: rear2
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal2
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: windshield: electrical heating element2
Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs2
Child seat: harness retainer/chest clip1
Electrical system: ignition: switch1
Electrical system: starter assembly1
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash1
Engine195,356 mi
Engine and engine cooling1
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control1
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe1
Equipment adaptive/mobility13,000 mi
Equipment: electrical1
Equipment: mechanical: carrier/rack1
Exterior lighting: back up lights1
Fuel system, gasoline: carburetor system1
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system: fuel rail1
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap1
Power train: automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switch1
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft1
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft: seal1
Power train: driveline: constant velocity joint1
Service brakes, hydraulic1
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: ABS warning light1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum: wheel cylinders1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1
Service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkages1
Steering: column locking: anti-theft device1
Steering: gear box (other than rack and pinion)1
Steering: linkages1
Steering: linkages: knuckle: spindle: arm1
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly1
Steering: rack and pinion: rack1
Structure: body: hatchback/liftgate: support device/strut1
Structure: body: trunk lid1
Suspension: front: control arm1
Suspension: front: stabilizer bar1
Suspension: front: wheel bearing1
Suspension: multiple axle1
Suspension: rear: springs: leaf spring assembly1
Vehicle speed control: cables1
Vehicle speed control: cruise control1
Visibility1
Visibility/wiper1140,000 mi
Wheels1
Wheels: hubcap/cover1
Wheels: multi piece1

The 1993 model has about half as many complaints as this one. The 1995 model has about 1.5 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Open investigations

An investigation is not a recall. It indicates that NHTSA is currently evaluating an alleged defect but has not reached a final determination.

DP96014DEFECTIVE AIR BAG CRASH SENSOR

Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module-inactive

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.